A WISE man once said, “riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you’ll ride alone”.
It is in this spirit that benevolent bikers will be rumbling out of Strathearn this weekend, bound for Applecross, to raise money for charity. A chance meeting between Crieff businessman Colin Stenhouse and a customer at the Stenhouse Gallery three years ago has led to what has now become an annual charity biking event. Whilst a smaller, two-wheeled convoy will leave Crieff on Saturday bound for the north-west Highlands, other riders are invited to join from wherever they live to avoid large “ride-outs”. The motorcyclists will be congregating in Lochcarron on Sunday, before taking the picturesque route to the eventual destination of Applecross, where a luncheon in aid of Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Robin House children’s hospice in Balloch will be held. Colin was keen to highlight the relaxed nature of the event: “We will be travelling along the Invergowrie route to Eilean Donan castle, which is one of the most beautiful roads in Scotland. We are hoping for as many bikers as possible to come along and contribute. “The most important aspect is safety. Northern Constabulary already know about the event and are making the necessary preparations. We want people to go at their own pace, their own speed and, most importantly, enjoy the event and raise some money.” The event is also running in conjunction with a recently announced Tayside police initiative to encourage safe and responsible motorcycling.
Operation Rossi, a name inspired by Italian racer Valentino, aims to engage with the motorcycling community to help reduce fatalities on the roads.